Saturday, June 20, 2009

STUDY OF VEIN PATTERN SYSTEM BELOW 275TH FM IN BOGALA GRAPHITE MINES BASED ON BORE HOLES DATA


Abstract
Graphite is one of main non-metallic minerals available in Sri Lanka, occurring mainly in highland complex. In Sri Lanka Graphite is mainly extracted through underground mining located at Kahatagaha, Kolongaha, Rangala and Bogala. This study was carried out to investigate the distribution of underground vain patterns below 275th fm level at Bogala Mine, Aruggammana in Kegalle District in Sabaragamuwa Province.

For this study, several diamond drill holes were made from three selected areas in 275th fm level of Kumbul split vain to 290th fm and 310th fm levels with different angles. The core samples obtained from the holes were logged. Then Carbon percentage and density of Graphite were experimentally determined. The rock types, their structure, Graphite vains and their structures were identified thought logging. The log results were interpreted by using Surpac and Auto CAD software packages. Then vein map, Geological map below 275th fm level and cross section map were drawn by using Auto CAD. Afterwards, Ore reservoir in the mapped area was estimated using the thicknesses and distribution of Graphite vains.

Biotite Gneiss, Chanockite Gneiss, Garnet Biotite Gneiss and Quartzite were there as main rocks. In addition to that Iron pyrites was also there. The8% and the Density was 1.89 tons/m -3. Their main vein patterns wer Carbon percentage of Graphite was in between 95% and 9e identified such as Kumbuk main vein, Kumbuk split veins and Kumbuk off veins. 10528.486 tons of Graphite of Kumbuk main veins were estimated. Bogala mines Graphite was extracted 7500 tons per year. According to this extracting rate of Bogala mine, this would be enough for one year and five months. But it was very difficult to reach Kumbuk veins 290th fm and Kumbuk veins 310thfm levels in the mine.

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